Machine for cleaning golf club heads

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a machine characterized in that it uses the combination of at least one club support ( 13 ), at least two wheels ( 5 ) arranged on either side of the head ( 6 ) of the club to be cleaned, and of its support ( 13 ), each bearing at their periphery ( 8 ) a brush ( 10 ) consisting of bristles ( 11 ) the height H of which varies on the periphery from a minimum height A to a maximum height B before decreasing to the initial minimum value A; each of the two brushes being motorized and rotatably mounted on an arm ( 12 ) itself oscillating. The geometry of the assembly being adapted so that said two wheels are angularly offset by 180° opposite each of their respective brushes ( 10 ), and so that the oscillating movement of the arms ( 12 ), combined with the rotation of the wheels ( 5 ), and the helical geometry of the bristles ( 11 ), is such as to apply said bristles of both brushes on all the shapes, surfaces, angles, projections of the head ( 6 ) and to perform an efficient wavelike cleaning operation.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the technical field of cleaning golf club heads and, in particular, to a machine or automatic device for cleaning, in particular, golf club heads.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM POSED AND PRIOR ART

It is well known that, when playing golf, the used clubs must receive attentive care. In particular, at the end of a course or of a round, it is appropriate to clean the used clubs, and in particular their head, in order to free them of dirt particles or other dusts that could adhere to them during the round.

Conventionally, this operation is carried out manually with the aid of a brush, which proves quite tiresome.

Known however are devices enabling the automatic cleaning of golf club heads. There is for example described in document FR-A-2 699 085 such a device employing a cylinder inside of which emerge, in the radial direction, brush hairs, of which a part extend substantially up to the axis of the aforementioned cylinder, in the area of which is inserted the golf club head.

If certainly, such a device makes it possible to refine the cleaning operation, on the other hand, it proves to be imperfect, and moreover, certain parts of the golf club head are not completely cleaned.

There was also described, in document U.S. Pat. No. 5,742,965, an automatic device for cleaning golf club heads, functioning according to the vending machines principle.

Such a device includes two types of pairs of brushes, respectively one for the “irons”, the other for the “woods”, and is activated by insertion of a coin of currency into an appropriate device.

Here again, the cleaning of the golf club head is not satisfactory.

Also known are other cleaning devices employing ultrasound technology. In addition to the uncertain character of the cleaning, such devices require an operator for their actuation, creating a cost premium with regard to operation.

Also known is a machine according to the patent application FR-2 854 577 filed Nov. 12, 2004 in the name of the Applicant according to which the clubs are connected on a mobile gantry in translation, and comprising a set of rotary brushes in the area of the golf club heads. This machine was made into a prototype that was not satisfactory: imperfect cleaning, security not completely assured, and prohibitive cost of manufacture (approximately 13 to 15 k

, whereas the acceptable price for the international market would be 3

).

Another very notable technical problem is that the machine must carry out these operations quickly. Otherwise, it will not be accepted by the players and the Clubhouses, and will not be suited to the requirements of time between each round. An optimal time is 45 seconds.

Of course, one will seek to load the machine with as many clubs as possible at each cycle, which is another technical problem: in fact, each player can posses or employ 14 clubs of which 13 are to be cleaned (the “putter” being cleaned exclusively by hand). One will therefore seek to achieve a loading capacity of 5 to 13 clubs per cycle in particular, preferably 7 to 10.

The person of skill in the art will have understood that the cleaning of golf club heads is made still more difficult due to a large variety of angles and surfaces, having a large variety of shapes in a bag of 13 clubs, and scratches always present on the ball striking surface. The cleaning of these scratches is paramount because otherwise the spin given to the ball dictated by these scratches (<<compaction>> of the ball at striking) would become erratic.

Also known is an automatic device of the general type in question, enabling optimization of the effective cleaning of such golf club heads, to clean the golf club heads perfectly, to not require manual cleaning operations and to operate in complete security, and this for a machine production cost that must be compatible with a broad installation in the club houses. This machine was covered by patent application FR-0401708 filed Aug. 26, 2005 the by the applicant; the technology functions and is not in question, but the “cost” objective was unattainable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, the proposed machine 1 (FIGS. 1 to 4) is characterized in that it employs the combination:

-   -   at least one club support 13, mounted on a rail 3, 2 itself         mounted on a chassis 4     -   at least two wheels 5 arranged on each side of the club head 6         to be cleaned, and of its support 13, each wheel being situated         in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the golf club 7     -   each bearing on their periphery 8 (on their face 9 turned         towards the club head)     -   a brush 10 formed of hairs 11

the height H of which varies on the periphery, from a minimal height A towards a maximum height B before decreasing towards the initial minimal value A

-   -   each of the two brushes being motorized and mounted in rotation         on an arm 12 itself oscillating, each arm being situated and         oscillating in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the         golf club,     -   and in that it comprises means of connection making the chassis         unified with a club-rest 13 arranged between the two wheels 5         and on which the club head to be cleaned is placed,     -   the geometry of the assembly being adapted so that the head 6         rests free on the aforementioned club-rest 13, that the         aforementioned head is surrounded by the aforementioned hairs         11, and that the aforementioned two wheels have an angular         displacement of 180° in relation with each of their respective         brushes 10, i.e. at the hairs of height H=A of one of the         brushes of one of the wheels facing the hairs of height H=B of         the other brush mounted on the other wheel, and finally that the         oscillating movement of the arms 12, combined with the rotation         of wheels 5, and the “helicoid” geometry of the hairs 11, is of         a nature to apply the aforementioned polishes of the two brushes         to all the shapes, surfaces, angles, asperities of the head 6         and to carry out an effective cleaning in a “wave” manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to a particular implementation mode, the oscillations of the two oscillating arms are shifted according to an angular shift.

According to another particular implementation mode, which is the preferred mode, the oscillations of the two oscillating arms are not shifted according to an angular shift.

According to another a particular implementation mode, the increase of the height H of the hairs from the minimal value A towards the maximum value B is effectuated on a half-circle of the periphery of the wheel, and the decrease (return from the height B towards the height A) is effectuated on the other half-circle.

The combination of the rotation of the wheels, the oscillating movement of the arms, and the “helicoid” geometry of the hairs (height increasing then decreasing on a periphery) results in a complete and fast cleaning of the club head, from every angle and according to all its asperities, forms etc. . . . with the aid of the creation of a “wave” force applied by the hairs.

By “at least two wheels” it is meant that the machine can comprise a series having multiples of two wheels to simultaneously clean a series of heads.

According to a particular implementation mode, it will be advantageous to juxtapose certain wheels, i.e. to provide for a linear series of wheels, i.e. mounted on a common horizontal axis (with the supposition that the club is in a vertical plane), including two “exterior” wheels such as described above and “interior” wheels comprising polishes in the periphery such as also described, but on the two faces of the wheel, the aforementioned horizontal axis being mounted oscillating as indicated above. In this option, arms 12 are of course not angularly shifted.

It is easily conceived that, in this manner, 4 clubs can be cleaned with the aid of five wheels, (FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 which is from a top view) including 2 exterior wheels 5 (E) having peripheral hairs on their internal face turned towards the head, and 3 interior wheels 5(I) having peripheral hairs on their two faces, i.e. on the face turned towards club n and on the face turned towards the following club n+1.

The person of skill in the art will of course be able to envision and build machines able, according to this principle, to simultaneously clean 2, 3, 4, 5 . . . heads 6. The limit will be fixed by the overall dimension and the cost.

According to another particular implementation mode, FIG. 3, the periphery 8 of the wheels 5 comprises radial rows 14, 15, each having 3 hairs 11 slightly shifted axially between themselves in a way such that the hairs 11 of two adjacent rows 14, 15 are slightly interleaved, cf FIG. 3.

Preferably, provision is made for arranging these hairs 11 according to 110 regular angular divisions, each forming a radial row.

This arrangement is of course not restrictive.

Preferably, the minimal height A is 45 mm and the maximum height B is 85 mm; these values are not restrictive either.

According to a less preferred alternative, the hairs 11 can be arranged so that, instead of increasing from a height H=A towards a height H=B on a half-circle of wheel, then decreasing from B towards A on the second half-circle, this increase/decrease of A towards B and B towards A occurs on a third of the circle, a quadrant of the circle, an eighth of the circle, etc . . . Thus are obtained scrubbings in tighter “waves”, but the best solution is currently the half-circle option.

According to a particular and preferred implementation mode, the club support 13 is oblique relative to the horizontal so that the club is set in correct position by gravity.

According to another particular implementation mode, the club rest or club support 13 is, in this preferred “inclined” option, substantially perpendicular to the arms 12.

According to another particular implementation mode, the club support 13 is positioned lower (or higher) than the brushes at rest and goes up (or goes down) in position at the time of the cleaning work, in order to avoid deformation of the brushes during a long rest.

According to options:

-   -   the club support 13 is fixed     -   the club support 13 is placed in light fast vibration, i.e. from         1 to 5 times a second and amplitude on the order of a mm         (vertical and/or horizontal, preferably vertical) by a suitable         known vibrator means, in order to optimize the cleaning (among         other advantages, a light vibration promotes the orientation of         the club head under the effect of the “wave” movement     -   the club support 13 is subjected to undulations, i.e. vertical         movements of the order of a few cm, in order to optimize the         cleaning     -   provision is made for means for spraying cleaning fluid,         preferably water, onto the club head in the course of cleaning;     -   provision is made, in this hypothesis, for the arrangement of         fine nozzles interleaved between the hairs, and/or placed under         (and crossing) the club head support 13, and/or a nozzle(s)         placed above the head by a fluid inlet not shown;     -   in this hypothesis, the preferred cycle is the following:     -   1 cycle with spraying or fine watering of the head, then     -   second passage without spraying or watering (the brushes dry the         head during cleaning)     -   possibly last cycle of fine washing with drying nozzles by         spraying of air onto the head     -   in all the options above, nozzles can be provided for spraying         of compressed air, in order facilitate cleaning by eliminating         the debris during the process, also making it possible to         maintain the brushes clean during the complete cleaning cycle,         or to dry the head if it is still wet at the end of the cycle         (in particular with the final “spraying of water option).

These options are not required and can be combined freely.

The motorization of the wheels is performed by a conventional means such as reduction motor M or drum motor not shown, and the motorization of the arms (oscillations) is also performed by a conventional means, such as a cylinder V or system rod, or another known means.

The machine also comprises means of programming of the cycle(s) as well as means of control, with possibly several options according to choice of the user and/or the player, all employing electric means, electronic means, hydraulic means or mini-engines well known in robotics. Means of payment by coins, tokens, Club cards, bank card and similar methods can be provided. 

1. Machine for cleaning golf club heads, characterized in that it employs the combination: at least one club support, mounted on a rail itself mounted on a chassis at least two wheels arranged on each side of the club head to be cleaned, and of its support, each wheel being situated in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the golf club each bearing on their periphery (on their face turned towards the club head) a brush formed of hairs the height H of which varies on the periphery, from a minimal height A towards a maximum height B before decreasing towards the initial minimal value A each of the two brushes being motorized and mounted in rotation on an arm itself oscillating, each arm being situated and oscillating in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the golf club, and in that it comprises means of connection making the chassis unified with a club-rest arranged between the two wheels and on which the club head to be cleaned is placed, the geometry of the assembly being adapted so that the head rests free on the aforementioned club-rest, that the aforementioned head is surrounded by the aforementioned hairs, and that the aforementioned two wheels have an angular displacement of 180° in relation with each of their respective brushes, i.e. at the hairs of height H=A of one of the brushes of one of the wheels facing the hairs of height H=B of the other brush mounted on the other wheel, and finally that the oscillating movement of the arms, combined with the rotation of wheels, and the “helicoid” geometry of the hairs, is of a nature to apply the aforementioned polishes of the two brushes to all the shapes, surfaces, angles, asperities of the head and to carry out an effective cleaning in a “wave” manner.
 2. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the oscillations of the two oscillating arms are shifted according to an angular shift.
 3. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the oscillations of the two oscillating arms are not shifted according to an angular shift.
 4. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the increase of the height H of the hairs from the minimal value A towards the maximum value B is effectuated on a half-circle of the periphery of the wheel, and the decrease (return from the height B towards the height A) is effectuated on the other half-circle.
 5. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the hairs are arranged so that, instead of increasing from a height H=A towards a height H=B on a half-circle of wheel, then decreasing from B towards A on the second half-circle, this increase/decrease of A towards B and B towards A occurs on a third of the circle, a quadrant of the circle, an eighth of the circle, etc . . .
 6. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises a series having multiples of two wheels to simultaneously clean a series of heads.
 7. Machine according to claim 6 characterized in that certain wheels are juxtaposed, i.e. a linear series of wheels are provided, i.e. mounted on a common horizontal axis (with the supposition that the club is in a vertical plane), including two “exterior” wheels and “interior” wheels comprising polishes in the periphery, but on the two faces of the wheel, the aforementioned horizontal axis being mounted oscillating.
 8. Machine according to claim 7 characterized in that 4 clubs are cleaned with the aid of five wheels, including 2 exterior wheels having peripheral hairs on their internal face turned towards the head, and 3 interior wheels having peripheral hairs on their two faces, i.e. on the face turned towards club n and on the face turned towards the following club n+1.
 9. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the periphery of the wheels comprises radial rows, each having 3 hairs slightly shifted axially between themselves in a way such that the hairs of two adjacent rows are slightly interleaved.
 10. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that these hairs are arranged according to 110 regular angular divisions, each forming a radial row.
 11. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the minimal height of hairs A is 45 mm and the maximum height B is 85 mm.
 12. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the club support is oblique relative to the horizontal so that the club is set in correct position by gravity.
 13. Machine according to the claim 12 characterized in that club rest or club support is, in this preferred “inclined” option, substantially perpendicular to the arms.
 14. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the club support is positioned lower (or higher) than the brushes at rest and goes up (or goes down) in position at the time of the cleaning work, in order to avoid deformation of the brushes during a long rest.
 15. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the club support is fixed.
 16. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the club support is placed in light fast vibration, i.e. from 1 to 5 times a second and amplitude on the order of a mm (vertical and/or horizontal, preferably vertical) by a suitable known vibrator means, in order to optimize the cleaning (among other advantages, a light vibration promotes the orientation of the club head under the effect of the “wave” movement
 17. Machine according to claim 16, characterized in that the club support is subjected to undulations, i.e. vertical movements of the order of a few cm, in order to optimize the cleaning
 18. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that provision is made for means for spraying cleaning fluid, preferably water, onto the club head in the course of cleaning;
 19. Machine according to claim 16, characterized in that provision is made for, in this hypothesis, the arrangement of fine nozzles interleaved between the hairs, and/or placed under (and crossing) the club head support, and/or a nozzle(s) placed above the head by a fluid inlet not shown;
 20. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, in this hypothesis, the preferred cycle is the following: 1 cycle with spraying or fine watering of the head, then second passage without spraying or watering (the brushes dry the head during cleaning) possibly last cycle of fine washing with drying nozzles by spraying of air onto the head
 21. Machine according to claim 18 characterized in that, nozzles can be provided for spraying of compressed air, in order facilitate cleaning by eliminating the debris during the process, also making it possible to maintain the brushes clean during the complete cleaning cycle, or to dry the head if it is still wet at the end of the cycle (in particular with the final “spraying of water option).
 22. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that it also comprises means of programming of the cycle(s) as well as means of control, with possibly several options according to choice of the user and/or the player, all employing electric means, electronic means, hydraulic means or mini-engines well known in robotics, and possibly means of payment by coins, tokens, Club cards, bank card and similar methods. 